Sadness vs. Depression What’s the Difference?

We all have experienced sadness at some point in our lives. It is a natural reaction when we go through certain trials in our lives to feel sad at our circumstances. However it is only temporary, as we come to terms with these circumstances, and work through them, we recover and the sadness begins to subside. Depression is a far deeper issue. When someone is depressed there is an actual chemical imbalance in their brain. This can be caused by tragedy in the person’s life, but also can happen for no apparent reason at all. When someone is suffering from … Continue reading

Signs of Depression and Suicide

Depression, as a mental health illness, is one of those things that is hard to explain if you have never experienced it or see it in someone close to you. It’s more than just feeling down. It’s more than just a series of bad days. Anytime that depression begins to affect your ability to do the thing you normally do, then there is a chance it may be more than just being sad. Depression is a disease that affects millions of people, men and women, old and young, across all ethnic and cultural boundaries. And, chances are, it is affecting … Continue reading

When Someone You Love Won’t Face Their Depression

I have found myself in a difficult situation. I have come to believe that my husband, whom I love dearly, is suffering from depression. He is expressing a lot of common symptoms. He has lost interest in doing things, to the extent that he will sit in front of the TV all day. He doesn’t have any desire to play with our children. He’s moody and sarcastic. He rarely has anything positive to say. He’s irritable. He has little to no patience. He will sneak away any chance he has and nap. He has no desire for sex. Adding to … Continue reading

The Difference Between Moodiness and Bipolar Disorder

I was talking to a co-worker the other day and we were discussing a teenage client who has extreme mood swings. One minute he’s happy go lucky, joking and laughing, the next he’s angry at the world and wants to hurt someone. “I’m guessing he’s Bipolar ,” my peer said. I just rolled my eyes. Often people will say things like this when dealing with moody people. After all, most know that people who suffer from Bipolar Disorder have extreme ups and extreme downs. The misconception that most people have is that these ups and downs happen quickly, like mood … Continue reading

Dealing with Depression

Depression is a serious problem in society. It is the most common of all metal health problems, yet it is one that is not talked about nearly as often as it should be. Statistics tell us one in five people will suffer from depression at some stage in their lives. You or your spouse or someone in your family could be a likely candidate for depression. So what can you do if your spouse or someone in your family suffers from depression? Firstly, you and your spouse or the person who has depression need to realize that depression in an … Continue reading

Mommy Blog Bashers

Have you ever considered that you could be helping a struggling single mom of four young children make ends meet each time you click on a link that leads to her blog? Earlier this year Oprah Winfrey devoted an entire show to the “Secret Lives of Moms.” It featured an audience full of women drooling at the chance to discuss the joys and pitfalls associated with raising the next generation. A portion of the episode spoke to a “new” kind of motherhood, in which women no longer suffer in silence about negative parenting experiences, mistakes and lack of maternal instincts. … Continue reading

Online Mental Health Support Groups: Are They Useful?

These days pretty much every condition known to man has an online support group. There is really no better support than talking to people who understand and live your condition, whether it be diabetes, stroke or some form of mental illness. There are many online support groups for a range of mental disorders including depression, the anxiety disorders, schizophrenia and panic disorder to name a few. While the concept of joining a group such as these is an excellent one, again, as with selecting a therapist, one needs to be a bit choosy. Online mental health groups can provide daily … Continue reading

John Edwards and Victoria Osteen – Tarnished Images?

This week, two high profile people appeared in new articles for not so stellar behavior. Former senator and vice presidential hopeful John Edwards finally admitted to having an extramarital affair. The National Enquirer broke this story quite a while ago, but I wanted to think it was just tabloid fluff. But, they got it right this time. Edwards admitted to having an affair with film maker Rielle Hunter in 2006, but denied being the father of her child, despite not having taken a paternity test yet. His former aide, Andrew Young, has said he is the father of the child. … Continue reading

The Prevention of “Baby Grace”

I have written, erased and re-written this blog about a dozen times. Words defy me in this case. I know that I don’t even have to give an introduction to this story because “Baby Grace” has been all over the news. You have to live in a hole under a rock in a cave to not know to whom I’m referring. I think those of us who are mothers are reeling at the thought of hurting our own children in that way. It is incomprehensible. Today, as news of Baby Grace trickles out, the mother said that the boyfriend killed … Continue reading

Does Your Doctor Think You Are A Hypochondriac?

There certainly exists a disorder involving the belief that you are suffering from illnesses that you aren’t. It’s called hypochondriasis and there is also an associated illness called somatization disorder. Fortunately, both conditions are quite rare. Therefore most people who go to the doctor with a physical ailment that concerns them need either a positive diagnosis that they can work with or reassurance that there is nothing to be concerned about. However, if your file should include a diagnosis of a mental illness, all that may change. Unless you have a reasonable doctor, many of the physical conditions you may … Continue reading